Automated Psychological Testing: Method of Administration, Need for Approval, and Measures of Anxiety

The Eysenck Personality Inventory, Endler's Multidimensional Anxiety Scales, Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale were administered on two occasions separated by a period of two months to three groups of subjects. One group took the standard paper-and-pencil versions of the tests; the second group, the computerized versions; and the third group, a computerized version on one occasion and a paper-and-pencil version on the other. Test-retest reliability was greatest for computer administration. There was a strong tendency for individuals in the computer condition to give responses related to low trait anxiety and to high standing on "internality." These measures also were related to high scores on social desirability or "need for approval." The results suggest that `'faking good' leads to low scores on "anxiety" scales and that this effect is particularly strong when tests are administered by computer. The data raise some doubts about the assumed efficacy of computerized testing.